Square Enix’s “Life is Strange’’ series has been one of the biggest names in story-based video games since the release of its first installment in 2015. The latest title in the series, “Life is Strange: True Colors,” is just as much of a hit as its predecessors. 

Released on Sept. 10, fans immediately adored it, but “True Colors” is enjoyable for anyone who owns a gaming console or PC. Its simple controls and focus on story rather than fancy gameplay mechanics make it easy and fun to pick up and play, regardless if you are a gamer or not. The whole point of the game is for it to be an interactive movie of sorts, and it does just that with the class of grade A cinema. Best of all for newcomers, the “Life is Strange” series is an anthology, meaning you do not need to play the first two mainline games or the spinoffs to understand the newest release. 

The game gives players the ability to choose where the story goes next as you guide the protagonist, Alex, through a dramatic story about empathy, grief, a corporate cover-up mystery and what it means to feel your feelings. These decisions are the heart of the game, as you will end up changing lives forever, saving people and possibly falling in love. These choices are where the game shines, as different decisions take you down multiple paths, changing the story in ways both minute and drastic, allowing the player to craft their own story with five possible endings. 

The other gameplay mechanic is completely unique to this installment. Alex is an empath, and can feel other people’s emotions and to a certain extent, read their minds. This is well utilized, and deeply intertwines with the story of the game. As you search around the idyllic town of Haven Springs, Colorado trying to solve Alex’s brother’s suspicious death, you willl need to read the emotions of every character, friend or foe, to progress. Along with progressing through the story with this, it also shines a light on the townsfolk of New Haven. Each character you meet has depth. Using Alex’s emotion reading abilities shows that even the most seemingly one-sided characters have depth important to solving the mystery and to Alex’s own personal revelations. This emotion reading even extends to random non-playable characters, who all have their own unique thoughts, which is a great little detail that shows the care put into the game. 

“True Colors” is gorgeous, both to look at and to experience. On a next generation console or decently powerful PC, it looks fantastic. Environments are especially amazing, and it is clear that the developers paid great attention to detail. You are given a beautiful woodsy Colorado mining town to explore as you go through the extremely well written story with moments both heart-wrenching and heart-melting, and twist after twist. Every path of the story is a tale worth experiencing; no corners were cut, even on the “bad” paths. Every character is unique and multifaceted, and you will definitely find yourself getting attached to them, even the ones you do not think you will. The music is amazing as well, featuring artists such as Alt-J (“Left Hand Free”), Hayley Kiyoko (“Curious”), girl in red (“Body And Mind”) and Phoebe Bridgers (“Motion Sickness”) on the soundtrack. 

All in all, whether you are already a “Life is Strange’’ fan, a fan of story-based games in general or even a non-gamer, “True Colors” is an experience you will absolutely enjoy.

Image from Life is Strange via YouTube